07 December 2013

Remember Pearl Harbor...
Seventy-two years ago today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor

A day when Japan awakened a "sleeping giant"...

Remember the generation of Americans who fought and died THAT day and in the years that followed, as well as those few who remain today to tell about it.

THEY are the reason WE are here.
And, although their numbers diminish with every passing day, their place in our history shall NOT do so.
Never forget that.

Be well and stay SAFE out there, America.

06 December 2013

Friday Follies...
The end of another week, and Christmas coming at us like a jail-on-wheels. Only EIGHTEEN days left (where does all the time go?).
We've some weather out there in the Hoosierland that bears some looking at, as well.
Today we're going to have some snow showers, with a possible accumulation of about an inch around our "Fortress", with higher amounts farther south in the state.
So far, nothing on the ground, but by day's end is when we'll have to be cautious.
The high today will struggle to reach the freezing mark.
Even this fellow was pondering what to do with the upcoming weather, as he perched on our fence.
Nice hawk...or is that an Indian SPIRIT GUIDE?
Yo Bob...got any ground beef...or mice?
There's never a shaman around when you need one, is there?
Now, with that dispensed with, let's see what kind of "stuff" has been going on elsewhere, so top off that morning beverage and let's get rolling.
*** First off the shelf today is a tale about three dumbasses from Fort Wayne who thought it was a good idea to rob a bank early.
Three "po boyz"...caught in Poe (Indiana, that is).
Bad idea!
Here's the story link:
http://news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131205/NEWS/131209812
Now, if one of those names sounds familiar, all you need do is look up my archive post from 13 June of this year.
L to R - Sizemore, Miller, Seals, Jr.
There you will find Charles Seals, Jr, who was arrested back THEN for holding a woman and child hostage.
The other two perps in the bank robbery were Brandon Sizemore, 24, and Calvin Miller,22, and the aforementioned Charles Seals, Jr, 23...ALL from Fort Wayne's beautiful SOUTHEAST side.
And, because you readers demanded it, here are their RAP SHEETS:
======================
BRANDON SIZEMORE
02D04-0803-CM-001436  SIZEMORE, BRANDON D 03/10/2008
Allen Superior Court 4 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA 
FAILURE WEAR SAFETY BELT  
02D04-0803-IF-005220  Sizemore, Brandon D 03/26/2008
Allen Superior Court 4 IF - Infraction
Decided UNREASONABLE SPEED  
02D04-0902-CM-001079  SIZEMORE, BRANDON D 02/24/2009
Allen Superior Court 6 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided 
02D04-1106-IF-008238 629079 SIZEMORE, BRANDON D 06/16/2011
Allen Superior Court 4 IF - Infraction
Decided 9-19-10-2/IFD: Failure of Occupant to Use Safety Belt  
02D06-1203-IF-003132 674065 SIZEMORE, BRANDON D 03/22/2012
Allen Superior Court 6 IF - Infraction
Decided 9-21-5-2/IFC: Speeding  
02H01-1204-IF-004683 000031760274 SIZEMORE, BRANDON D 04/17/2012
New Haven City Court IF - Infraction
Pending 9-21-5-2/IFC: Speeding  
02D05-1205-IF-005173 674478 SIZEMORE, BRANDON D 05/10/2012
Allen Superior Court 5 IF - Infraction
Pending 9-25-8-2(a)(1)/IFA: Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Financial Responsibility  
02D04-1207-IF-009412 681058 SIZEMORE, BRANDON D 07/27/2012
Allen Superior Court 4 IF - Infraction
Pending 9-24-19-1/IFA: Driving While Suspended  
02D05-1209-IF-010738 691281 SIZEMORE, BRANDON D 09/05/2012
Allen Superior Court 5 IF - Infraction
Pending
=====ADDRESSES=====
2502 WEISSER PARK DR 
 Fort Wayne, IN 46803
502 Berwyn Ln
 Fort Wayne, IN 46816
====================
CALVIN MILLER
02D04-0608-IF-014545  Miller, Calvin L 08/16/2006
Allen Superior Court 5 IF - Infraction
Decided UNDER 18 POSSESS TOBACCO  
02D04-0902-MC-000204  Miller, Calvin L 02/03/2009
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. CARRY HDGUN W/O PRMT 
P.C. POSS FIREARM/SCHOOL 
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA  
02D04-0902-FC-000033  Miller, Calvin L 02/06/2009
Allen Superior Court 4 FC - Class C Felony
Decided CARRYING A HANDGUN WITHOUT A LICENSE 
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA HASH OIL OR HASHISH 
02D04-1106-MC-001412 NA
NA Miller, Calvin L 06/01/2011
Allen Superior Court 4 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal (Citation)
Decided 35-47-2-1/FC: Carrying Handgun w/o License-Prior/Prior Felony w/in 15 Yrs/School Prop,
School Bus 
35-48-4-11(1)/MA: Possession Marijuana/Hash Oil/Hashish - Possession  
02D06-1106-FC-000149  Miller, Calvin L 06/06/2011
Allen Superior Court 6 FC - Class C Felony
Pending 35-47-2-1/FC: Carrying Handgun w/o License-Prior/Prior Felony w/in 15 Yrs/School Prop,
School Bus 
35-48-4-11(1)/MA: Possession Marijuana/Hash Oil/ 
02D05-1302-FB-000036  Miller, Calvin L 02/21/2013
Allen Superior Court 6 FB - Class B Felony
Decided 35-42-5-1(2)/FB: Robbery - Defn Armed OR Bodily Injury Results To One Other Than Defn 
35-42-3-3(a)(1)/FB: Crim Confinement (confine) - Armed  
===ADDRESSES====
502 Buchanan St.
 Fort Wayne, IN 46803
==================
CHARLES SEALS, JR
02D05-1204-IF-004806 000032067904
000032067904 SEALS, CHARLES R, Jr. 04/30/2012
Allen Superior Court 5 IF - Infraction
Pending 9-24-19-1/IFA: Driving While Suspended 
9-21-5-2/IFC: Speeding  
02D06-1205-FC-000145  Seals, Charles R, Jr. 05/03/2012
Allen Superior Court 5 FC - Class C Felony
Decided 35-42-2-1(a)(8)/FC: Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury to a Pregnant Woman 
35-42-2-1.3(b)(2)/FD: Domestic Battery - Committed 
02D06-1212-CM-006648 NA SEALS, CHARLES R, Jr. 12/12/2012
Allen Superior Court 6 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided 35-43-2-2(a)(5)/MA: Criminal Trespass  
02D06-1302-CM-000869 NA SEALS, CHARLES R, Jr. 02/25/2013
Allen Superior Court 6 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided 35-44.1-3-1(a)(1)/MA: Resisting Law Enforcement  
02D05-1303-FD-000336  Seals, Charles R, Jr. 03/22/2013
Allen Superior Court 5 FD - Class D Felony
Decided 35-48-4-11/FD: Poss Marij/Hash Oil/Hashish/Salvia/Synthetic Cannabinoid-Amt 
Involved/Prior  
02D06-1303-MC-000730 NA
NA SEALS, CHARLES R 03/28/2013
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal (Citation)
Decided 35-44.1-3-1(a)(3)/FD: Resisting Law Enforcement/Use of Vehicle to Commit Offense 
35-43-4-2(b)/FD: Receiving Stolen Property  
02D05-1304-FC-000117  Seals, Charles R, Jr. 04/24/2013
Allen Superior Court 5 FC - Class C Felony
Decided 35-47-2-1/FC: Carrying Handgun w/o License-Prior/Prior Felony w/in 15 Yrs/School 
Prop, School Bus 
35-44.1-3-1(a)(3)/FD: Resisting Law Enforcement/Use of Vehicle to Commit Offense 
35-43-4-2(b)/FD: Receiving Stolen Property  
02D06-1306-MC-001463 NA SEALS, CHARLES R, Jr. 06/13/2013
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal (Citation)
Decided 
=====ADDRESSES=====
245 E Creighton AVE 
 Fort Wayne, IN 46803
1807 Noble Kinman DR 
 Fort Wayne, IN 46816
137 CREIGHTON AVE E
 Fort Wayne, IN 46803
=====================
Nice to know you CAN get out of jail so quickly, so you can get back to "business as usual", right, Charles?
First off, you DON'T rob a bank in a small community (Hoagland - pop. around 800), and then lead Allen County Sheriff deputies, and the ISP (and even the FWPD) on a chase in a damn Olds Alero down to another small town (Poe) where you crash the car...you dipsh*ts!
It was the Hoagland Fire Chief (who is not openly gay, OR politically-correct, btw) who saw two of the perps run from the bank and followed them, giving vehicle description and tag number, so police could stop them.
Yeah, THAT'S gonna leave a mark!
And, if memory serves, both Hoagland and Poe are towns with a LOT fewer ethnics, so when you see someone dressed as a Ft. Wayne SE side THUG, they tend to "STAND OUT"...a LOT.
I say kudos to the LEOs involved in this, and I can only HOPE that the Allen County prosecutor doesn't go and turn them back OUT on the streets (again) on their own recognizance until the next trial, which will eventually still turn them back on the streets.
*** Next up, another dumbass that has issues when it comes to shoplifting...
And here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20131206/LOCAL07/312069932/1043/LOCAL07
Now, I know that Wal-Mart is the shoplifter's store of choice these days, especially on the SE side of Ft. Wayne, but like any store, they hate it when their "shrink" goes over the planned percentages....enter Ms. Santeri Shafounna Hill, obviously one of this city's more stellar citizens...NOT!
You one nasty girl!
She went and grabbed 3 DVDs and a pair of children's boots, and then proceeded out the door...
(uh oh, that's not right)
When in the vestibule between the inner and outer doors, loss-prevention confronted her, and it was then that the lying began.
Hill said she was GOING to pay for them (when? Next year?), but needed to go outside for a minute (to stash the swag and leave perhaps), so the employee blocked her leaving. Hill then dropped the merchcandise and went out to the parking lot. Cameras show her re-entering the store a few minutes later with a small black handgun, threatening to shoot the employee.
It amazes me how ENTITLED these people think they are...what an asshole!
Hill did strike the employee several times on the head with the gun.
She then fled the store,drove away, but was arrested a short time later for a TRAFFIC STOP outside her home. She has been charged with FELONY robbery and battery, and is a "guest" of the Allen County lockup in lieu of $20K bail.
All for stealing $48.88 worth of stuff, but leaving another $121.02 on the floor of the store.
Hill told police (you'll LOVE this) she left Wal-Mart without PAYING for the items because she was MAD the employee had treated her like a SHOPLIFTER...
Man, is that EVER a "WTF???" moment!
Well, she f$cking WAS a shoplifter for God's sake...wasn't she?
Oh, and the best part...police state that the gun used to beat the employee was a BB pistol...ROFLMAO!
THIS is what a lazy-ass welfare queen looks like, people.
She'll look good in ORANGE...!
(and lose the key to HER cell...please.)
*** Next up, unless you've been living in that cave, staring at the shadows on the back wall by firelight, you know that South African president Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95.
And here is his WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela
Granted, he has been in ill health for some time, and most of us knew the end wasn't far off, but the legacy this man leaves should serve as a guidepost for ALL people, especially blacks, when we think of all he has done to champion the cause of equal rights.
And now, since I've said what you're "supposed" to say, here is some TRUTH behind the man...
-- Mandela was born into a privileged family.
(I honestly did not know that).
Being a democratic socialist, Mandela was "openly opposed to capitalism, private land owning, and the power of big money", and was influenced by MARXISM. In the 1995 Freedom Charter, which Mandela helped create, it called for the NATIONALIZATION of banks, gold mines, and land, believing it NECESSARY to ensure EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH...
Where have we heard something similar before...let me see...
(NOW we know where our Blamer/Whiner/Liberal-in-Chief, Obummer got this idea from...hmm?)
Perhaps Mandela was no Gandhi or Mother Teresa, although some would rewrite history to dispel that much - he was in fact a nationalist and "a democrat and a socialist"), but one has to admit that he DID leave an indelible mark on the world as a "peacemake" (he sure smiled a lot), and should be held up (at least) as an example of how a black man CAN succeed, as well as advance through adversity, overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of equality...and not just being MORE equal than the next person.
By our nation's standards (based on the founding documents) he was certainly NO saint...and you need to know the ENTIRE truth in order to make a more informed decision as to his greatness. I leave that to you.
*** Lastly today...gee, it seems we can't avoid this "human nature" thing...can we?
We see evidence of the manner that many people chase after in order to  "spread the wealth around", as it were.
And yet, we also see that nothing is ever REALLY "free"...someone has to pay for it, whether it's a DVD or changing the face of a nation in Africa.
Or it could even be a "fundamental change" in THIS country...which we need to pay attention to, for it could spell the collapse of the democratic republic our Founding Fathers entrusted to us.
I am sure that our president TOTALLY embraces that which Mandela believed...and is trying to do likewise here.
Thing is, people can see the charade, and peer past the facade of deception perpetrated upon our people.
This nation is slowly waking up from too long a slumber, but the only thing wrong with that, is when you first wake up, you stumble about until you "get your bearings", and that is what is happening HERE...NOW.
But, that will pass, and when our nation shakes the "sleep" out of it's eyes, we will all be better able to take back our country, and once again have those we elect working FOR US, and not the other way around.
Do have yourselves a good weekend in spite of the weather.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

05 December 2013

More On Human Nature...and Stuff...
The week is winding down, and coming along for the ride are some COLD conditions here in the Hooiserland.
Today's weather will be running pretty much in "reverse" of what we call normal.
The high today is whatever it is outside this morning, and I say that because temps will FALL throughout the day reaching the low 30s by late this afternoon. Tonight promises to bring rain and snow showers, and some folks are talking about slight accumulation.
So, if you have to get out today, make it EARLY...and the earlier, the better.
Now, with that behind us, let's see what else is going on around us.
*** First oit of the coal bin today is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"Most people don't believe that something will happen until it already has. That's not stupidity or weakness, that's just human nature."
This was spoken by Max Brooks, and if that name sounds just a wee bit familiar, it MIGHT be because he's the son of legendary comedian.author and producer MEL Brooks (yes, the Blazing Saddles Mel Brooks), OR...it could be that you remember him as the writer of World War Z - An Oral History of the Zombie Apocalypse (and the movie of the same name).
Here's his WIKI to fill in the gaps:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Brooks
He is the product of Mel and Anne Bancroft, and used to write for SNL between 2000-2001.
While "dad" delves into comedy, Max preferred horror stories, and has also done various voice-over works and has appeared on Sons of Guns in a "zombie-gun" episode.
Perhaps he can become the new(and better) Stephen King...who knows?
And now...for the REST of the story...
*** Fort Wayne's latest homicide victim was 34 year old Daniel W. Arnett (as mentioned yesterday), and there is a story about him in today's J-G.
Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20131205/LOCAL07/312059929
Now, before you go and think that I'm "playing favorites", that's not going to be the case.
The headline reads that he "turned his life around"...sounds a lot like Jovon Harvey, the man killed back in early November this year.
He also "turned HIS life around", and all that got him was plenty of DEAD, too.
So WHY are THESE people getting offed?
We're talking former gang affiliations...NOT current ones, unless someone from their respective pasts has a really BIG chip on their shoulders and an ax to grind. And neither man was part of this "urban youth clique crowd" we're hearing about. Arnett was 34, and Harvey was 44.
Well, there was one thing both men had in common - they BOTH owned several RENTAL properties around the SE side.
And Arnett DID have a rap sheet, too.
=================
Daniel W. Arnett - male white - 6'5", 225 lbs
02D04-9604-CM-003588  Arnett, Daniel W 04/25/1996
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided DANGEROUS POSS OF FIREARM  
02D04-9607-DF-000432  Arnett, Daniel W 07/31/1996
Allen Superior Court 6 DF - CL D Felony or lesser charge
Decided INDICTMENT FOR CRIMINAL GANG ACTIVITY 
INDICTMENT FOR BATTERY  
02D04-9607-DF-000436  Arnett, Daniel W 07/31/1996
Allen Superior Court 6 DF - CL D Felony or lesser charge
Decided BATTERY  
02D04-9608-CM-006446  Arnett, Daniel W 08/02/1996
Allen Superior Court 4 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided CARRYING HANDGUN W/O LICENSE  
02D04-9804-MC-000626  Arnett, Daniel W 04/20/1998
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. THEFT  
02D04-9804-DF-000310  Arnett, Daniel William 04/23/1998
Allen Superior Court 5 DF - CL D Felony or lesser charge
Decided THEFT  
02D04-0009-IF-016382  Arnett, Daniel W 09/26/2000
Allen Superior Court 6 IF - Infraction
Decided FAILURE WEAR SAFETY BELT  
02D04-0107-IF-012077  Arnett, Daniel W 07/20/2001
Allen Superior Court 4 IF - Infraction
Decided OPERATE WHILE SUSP (INF)  
02C01-0204-FD-000268  Arnett, Daniel William 04/25/2002
Allen Circuit Court FD - Class D Felony
Decided NONSUPPORT OF A DEPENDENT CHILD  
02D05-1308-IF-008189 000034650958 ARNETT, DANIEL W 08/29/2013
Allen Superior Court 5 IF - Infraction
Decided 9-21-3-7/IFC: Disregard Lighted Signal - Signals Exhibiting Colored Lights
====ADDRESSES====
1420 N HARRISON ST
  FORT WAYNE, IN 46808
5209 North Hills Drive
  Fort Wayne, IN 46825
1000 Old Brick Rd Apt 224
  Auburn, IN 46706
1542 Reed #K
  Fort Wayne, IN 46815
1401 Shawna Ave
  Auburn, IN 46706
3727 S Barr St
  Ft Wayne IN
3408 Yoder Rd
  Yoder, IN 46798
315 1/2 West Wiliams Street
  Ft Wayne IN
=======================
Damn, that boy SURE moved around, didn't he?
BTW, the house he was killed inside of was NOT where he lived, so that's got to tell you something.
He wasn't into the gang thing since the late 90s, though...just a few traffic violations and a non-support felony.
And yet, the past still has a way of catching up to these criminals.
We can only go by what family members "say" about them contrasted to public records and what THEY say.
Truly a study in human nature, is it not?
*** In a related story about these 44 homicides, we have this gem from WANE:
http://www.wane.com/news/crime/neighbors-have-mixed-opinions-after-homicide
SO, who's patrolling the REST of the SE?
Yes, the neighbors DO have "mixed" feelings about living on a street (of many down here) that has seen it's share of violence and death.
But there is one man (Joey Belcher) in the video that damn near breaks into chuckles over it...
We ARE talking about sh*t that can KILL you...DEAD, and these people treat it as "just another day in paradise"...It's nothing to smirk at.
Yeah, we can call this a "WTF???" moment.
It's what I've said for a while...a DESENSITIZATION of people when it comes to violent crime (or crime in general).
That is a dangerous place to visit...you should NEVER get that :"comfortable" with such things as these.
And the story says that many people feel that if they bother no one, no one will bother THEM.
Well, that is BULLSH*T, and I feel sorry for those living THAT lie.
Criminals will "bother" you...even when you DON'T bother them. That's just how they operate...
They watch you...and wait...and then they act, usually when you're NOT expecting it, because you've gotten "comfy" with bothering no one and keeping to yourself.
Or, you can be the random house or person hit when a rolling shootout is taking place, like those houses that were struck by stray rounds along Lafayette St a while back.
So, keeping to yourself doesn't really work, for the most part.
Another neighbor on that street wasn't surprised about the shooting at 3804 Oliver St., because he knew there was illegal activity going on there...
((...rolls eyes...))
So WHY THE HELL didn't you REPORT it anonymously to the FWPD?
And IF you did, why didn't THEY act accordingly?
A "pre-arranged" promotion to be sure.
You see, you invariably wind up with MORE questions out of situations like this than answers, and that doesn't reflect well on the chief of police, when he should be the one overseeing these problems and doing something about them.
He's the top dog, and it's all happened on HIS watch.
I would call to task the Quadrant Deputy Chief as well, because this crap is falling between too many "cracks" , or being swept under too many rugs.
HALF of the city's homicides have occurred on the...(...all together, people...)...SOUTHEAST side, so what is that telling us about the methodology being used (to date) to diminish these deaths...and crime in general?
Can't be that much, otherwise we WOULD see crime dropping across the board, right?
We used to call that incompetence.
*** Next up, I remember a while back when Phil Marx had his place firebombed by drug-dealing gang members...and how he all but begged the department to install cameras to watch the area.
I also told our (then) quadrant captain that if the department wanted to put up surveillance cameras to watch certain houses, I would be more than willing to accommodate the narcotics division...never heard anything since.
We USED to have "plain wrappers" patrolling the alleys around here, or sitting and watching for specific activities.
Not anymore.
I haven't seen ANY FWPD cruisers around doing that these days.
I ONLY see them whenever there is a BOLO for a particular suspect that might have come to our area on foot or if police are looking for a perp vehicle.
Even THAT isn't near as frequent as it used to be.
Funny thing about that...the CRIMES in a 10-block radius around our "Fortress" have NOT diminished at all.
And the frequency of signal 113s (shots fired) has increased as well, with damn near DAILY and MULTIPLE occurrences.
York and Henry need THIS in their offices.
Just wait until the end of this month...New Year's Eve...when we get to partake in another "night in Kabul" with ALL the gunfire, that people think are just fireworks. Seeing a police cruiser on THAT night down here is harder to find than a decent retail store...or a safe neighborhood.
NO comment - typical.
Glynn (all for blacks only) Hines declined to comment on this latest homicide when asked by WANE...
We call that avoiding the issue by feigning frustration.
If he was REALLY concerned, he'd be out there every damn day, with other black leaders, calling for some sort of end to this. I guess since the victim wasn't black, it's not AS important to him.
More "good old boy" rhetorical nonsense.
*** If there is one thing I really detest, it's being lied to, and then having the liar compound THAT lie with another one, telling me all is right with the world.
After all the years behind me, I can say that I've had my share of liars, and have become good at outting them.
So, when I hear that neighborhoods are safe, and that crime is going down, when in fact I see and hear JUST the opposite, don't try and sell me any bridges in Manhattan, kapeesh?
Sure have MY doubts.
We have a sworn force of approximately 440 officers that are supposed to be conducting POLICE work in this city...or so I'm led to believe.
But, according to FWPD activity reports and the SPOT-CRIME website, I'm just not buying what's being sold.
And the police radio sure doesn't lie...
What I am seeing is a sworn force of (approx) 440 officers conducting INVESTIGATION work.
Granted, not ALL calls are "after the fact", but too many really are.
LUCK used to be something that was in the realm of investigation, and not regular policing.
Real policing is about being at the right place at the right time to see something going down, and being able to stop it before it escalates or before the perps get way Scot-free.
I hear SO many calls on the radio that have a "black male, one in custody" attached to them, and yet, with ALL these arrests, many of which DO occur on the SE side, WHY isn't my neighborhood a lot EMPTIER...LOL?
I mean, it should look like a frigging ghost town...one would think.
Like I say...more QUESTIONS than ANSWERS, right?
*** Last back to the barn today is this feeling that not much will get done as long as we have the current "crop" of command at both city hall and in the FWPD.
The police "capo" states that crime is cyclical, and while part of that IS true, there is much more to consider when it boils down to human nature.
Crime will go down when the opportunity to commit crime diminishes...not before.
As long as there is the "availability" to commit crime, it will be self-sustaining.
And as long as the criminals are not taken off the streets in greater numbers, crime will continue.
A PEOPLE problem...and not a gun problem, as it were.
As long as PEOPLE are not all held to the same level of ethical behavior, a stricter sense of morality, and personal responsibility and accountability within every community, crime will not abate.
You can create (which we already have) programs intended to help people become more aware of their TRUE potential, instead of opting for the "easy out", and yet it's the old adage of the horse and the water...you cannot make such people "drink" from a source they should know to be good for them.
The city should have been a lot more proactive (since 1997), and has not. Adding another layer of government to the mix is NOT helping the problems on the STREETS, when another office is created.
We need to ACT better...THINK better..and most certainly DO better, otherwise, we're all no better off than mere creatures of instinct and habit.
And there is no way we need settle for that, right?
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

04 December 2013

Humpday Happenings...
Welcome to the Wednesday edition of my small piece of the airwaves, and  with it, a post that might be packed tighter than a Sumo wrestler in a phone booth...if you can find EITHER one and get them together.
(you remember phone booths, right? Just checking)
The local Hoosierland weather is as follows...
It will be unseasonably MILD today with highs in the mid to UPPER 50s.with not enough sunshine to really enjoy it.
We might have a chance of a slight shower here and there, before we drop BACK into a decent (and abrupt) cold snap, so, don't turn that furnace off yet.
In the meantime, go refill your morning beverage, and let's get this show started...
*** First up, is our Motto of the Week, aka WHO SAID THAT?
"Most people don't believe that something will happen until it already has. That's not stupidity or weakness, that's just human nature."
In the finest tradition, you will find this quote quite apt for the remainder of this post.
So, who said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the cinema...
*** In my best Barry Manilow homage...
LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT.
...TO HOMICIDE NUMBER FORTY-FOUR, that is.
A rather dubious distinction, is it not?
Well, I heard this go out yesterday on the police radio as a signal "58" (shooting) in the 3800 block of Oliver St, deep in the heart (not of Texas) of the ghettohood.
And here is the story link from today's J-G:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20131204/LOCAL07/312049972
While the coroner will announce it officially today, let's already ADMIT this is the 44th homicide this year, tying a record set back in 1997 (which used to be 43, but they had to add one, so as not to let us think we'd reach the number).
An "execution-style" slaying they state...how quaint.
Used to be that a REAL execution style shooting involved ONE round to the back of the head...that's it.
Then you'd have the drive-bys at restaurants where known mob bosses ate.
But THIS one involved multiple shots to the chest and head...kinda sloppy, if you ask me.
The LESS of anything you leave at a crime scene, the better the chance the po-po can't trace anything back TO you...that's just SOP.
Police arrived at a house located at 3804 S. Oliver St, around 1525 hrs, and found one male (WHITE, for a change) inside, who was transported to hospital in critical condition. He died a short time later. Witnesses heard several shots and noticed two other men leaving the house and exiting the scene southbound (towards Rudisill Blvd) in a maroon van, make and model not specified.
(well, that narrows it down to all the automakers)..
Sunday's victim, Johnny Wiggins has no record in Allen County, so the motive behind HIS shooting death remains a mystery.
Nah..it just LOOKS that way...really.
FWPD spokesman, Off. Jeremy Webb stated to the media that there is nothing to point to directly as to an overall cause of this amount of violence on the city's's SE side. Chief York however believes the combination of gangs and drugs is causing retribution crimes due to stealing among themselves.
And we'll get to York in a moment.
Let's just say that my initial prediction of 25 homicides was turned on it's ear, and it has even surpassed the 40 I said we could reach.
I would also remind you to visit THIS (news-sentinel) site for the homicide locations THIS year, as well as in years past...tell me if you see an ongoing "trend".
http://nscontent.news-sentinel.com/?q=page/2013-allen-county-homicide-map
Simon Rios in custody
In other years, we have seen those aberrations of violence that cause an acute rise in homicide rates, like the Simon Rios case where he killed FIVE people near year's end, so we might not be out of the woods just yet.
And we might ALSO see a slowdown of homicides, because while SOME players have been killed, there is a time that passes before a new "hierarchy" becomes established in the gang networks around the area, but as long as we allow more broken windows, that time will become shorter and shorter...it's just "human nature".
(( Editor's Update - 1545 hrs - the 44th homicide victim has been ID'ed as Daniel Arnett, age 34 of Fort Wayne and if he's the Daniel Arnett that has been arrested before in Allen County, he's got gang activity and illegal possession of a firearm on his rap sheet.))
*** Now, a little more about Chief York...
First of all, last night's "rubber stamp of approval" for the recreating of the position of DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY went through City Council faster than crap through a goose, with little (if any) concern.
Bad "jazz hands", Rus
And more of us should find this...a bit disturbing to say the least.
But not as disturbing as this picture of Droopy Dog...LOL.
Is it me, or is there a resemblance?
Sure, I will admit that York is more qualified for the job than was Payne Brown (now a high-level manager at Comcast back east), but being qualified for a position that might not really be needed bears scrutiny...something that city council neglected to do last evening.
Here's the link to the story:
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Yorks-New-Position-Official-Addresses-Record-Tying-Homicide-Rate-234340081.html
But he still seems to be a good singer.
What amazes me, is that it all seems a bit TOO convenient...like this was PRE-ARRANGED and already set-in-stone.
I will say that a recent article by News-Sentinel columnist Kevin Leininger speaks more to the real issues behind this.
Here's THAT link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131203/NEWS/131209930/1041/LEININGER
And here is Leninger's story about last night's city council meeting:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131203/NEWS/131209874/1005
At least Glynn (I'm all for blacks only) Hines stated he wants York to find a NEW strategy to fight the crime in HIS (and my) district.
Well, we have tried other strategies BEFORE...and all THAT got was lawsuits by people such as Rev. Michael Latham, or Hana Stith , claiming RACIAL profiling, or as so marvelously stated - "Driving while black".
Hana Stith
So, York backed the hell off,  and the department has been doing the "diversity-two-step" ever since.
It's always been about CRIMINAL profiling, but some minorities don't (want to) see that, even when these crimes and homicides happen in their OWN damn neighborhoods, PLUS the fact that they never want to come forward out of fear (or apathy)...
There is a nasty duplicity at work in these communities, and THAT won't prevent OR solve many crimes at all, will it?.
And that is one reason that I personally feel that revisiting the PSD (or DoPS - take yer pick ) job isn't going to net this city any gains against crime.
Sure, York mentions he's been working with federal agencies, but let's get REAL here.
The FEDS come in not only when "asked", but when a crime (or series of crimes) get the attention OF the feds, without local intervention.
It's like this - if a crime crosses state lines, many times, the feds get involved, like when drugs are transported from Mexico, up through the states and wind up in Chicago and then get redistributed out to Fort Wayne.
And the FEDS often have JURISDICTION, much to the chagrin of local law-enforcement.
That's the way things work, like it or not.
What the (new) PSD/DoPS position WILL do is give more power to someone that (imho) hasn't shown enough power in the former position he's held, unless you count power as something that forces officer morale in the crapper, or bends over backward to change statistics and descriptions of crimes to "cook the books"  on certain misdemeanors from felonies by reassigning them from one column to another.
That isn't making crime go way, either. Just changes the "name".
If memory serves, York once RETIRED from the FWPD, so that means a PENSION, right?
I wonder if he ever gave that UP after he was REHIRED back on as CHIEF when Graham Richard became mayor?
And if not...WHY not?
So, maybe that $126K salary isn't the TOTAL amount?
Is he really pulling down more money than we're told?
I'm just wondering...as should many more of us.
Then there's this grant money...over a million bucks, that's supposed to be there to HIRE more officers (who won't be on the street until LATE 2015!)
Okay, so we HIRE and TRAIN them...who EXACTLY will pay for them when the grant runs out?
('cause grants don't last ad perpetuum)
I suppose it will be a wash when ALL those officers of retirement age LEAVE the department (close to 1/4 of the department is eligible), and will the numbers still balance when it come to the number of "boots on the ground"?
Sure, (as York says) there are LOTS of "dynamics" at work here, but not ONLY in the criminal realm
If nothing else, I'm smelling some TAX HIKES in the immediate future for those left footing the bill in this city, and with city numbers and revenues dropping, how about some MORE annexations to shore up the tax base?
You can easily see the domino effect from downtown, and that spills over into the rearranging of the hierarchy in the FWPD...promotions, salary changes for vacated positions, and the like.
It's as though all this crap comes down to:
1) Keep you confused
2) get you thinking about something else
3) BOTH of the above
I still say we DON'T need a PSD (or a DoPS either...lol), and we certainly don't need a black police chief (yet), because you KNOW the "fix is in" there, too.
But, as long as the status quo is maintained, and NO ONE asks questions that NEED to be asked downtown, and especially on city council, we'll just have more of the SAME OLD SH*T...it'll just be a different day, that's all.
Rusty needs to retire and enjoy life, while we need an EXPERIENCED person at the helm of both the police AND fire departments, and not some token of diversity placed in a position JUST to have people say  "Look how accepting Fort Wayne is...so diverse, how nice of them".
And we need some HONEST representation at City Council, and not biased individuals pursuing their own agendas for their OWN part of the populace.
We also need a relief from all the crime, and it doesn't mean taking GUNS off the damn streets...
It means taking the CRIMINALS off of the damn streets...period.
With fewer criminals to HOLD guns, fewer guns in the WRONG hands will be the result...doesn't get ANY simpler  than THAT, does it?
(for I am a simple man)
*** Lastly today, all these pre-conceived and pre-determined outcomes issuing from City Hall need to be looked at, because with the level of criminal activity in this city, you don't want to go the route of Detroit, or Chicago, or even Philly.
But you WILL as long the people permit and allow others to attain authority who look out for themselves and their inner circle FIRST, and the citizenry second.
Don't attempt to assuage peoples' concerns about crime by citing NATIONAL numbers going down, when people in THIS city are MORE concerned with the RISING crime in their OWN neighborhoods. Remember, the national numbers are averaged.
Some cities have LOW crime, while others have HIGH crime,...so it "evens out"...that's called statistics, and yes, they can be "skewed", often at the discretion of someone wanting to keep his or her job downtown.
Look back to recent history when it comes to leadership in THIS city...not all that great. Sure, we got some new "shiny keys" (Costaplenty Square and the new ball field) dangling in front of the "toddlers" we call the populace, but such children tire of them over time, and then you have to find something ELSE to attract their attention.
I would warn City Hall and City Council to be wary of summarily passing everything that comes across their tables, because some OTHER city has one, or to exclusively redevelop DOWNTOWN, when you can't even DEVELOP the SE side one damn bit (thanks to the crime).
I would caution the FWPD command staff that they can't even stop boomcars, or littering, or major crimes...they just show up AFTER the fact, and I'm sorry...that's NOT policing...it's INVESTGATING.
They need to PATROL, and then patrol some more to be a sh*tload more PROACTIVE than being as reactive under York's direction.
And I would love to see the RIGHT people in the RIGHT jobs, and not because of affirmative action or diversity, but simply because they are the BEST and most experienced person FOR that position. Ethnicity be damned in that regard..
Sounds like nothing more than middle-aged man's PIPE DREAMS, doesn't it?
Thing is, it's STILL achievable, but we,  the people of Fort Wayne (and Allen County) have to WANT it, and not be willing to settle for whatever has been coming down the pike.
That's just what I've come to know.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

03 December 2013

And The Numbers Are In... 
Welcome to the Tuesday edition of our weekly affirmation, friends. The Hoosierland weather will be a touch warmer today with temps reaching up to around FIFTY degrees (of separation?) and perhaps a slight sprinkle outside. It will be mostly cloudy and I hear we even have slight fog (must be someplace else).
A good day to get some Christmas shopping done...(and see how many idiots took to wearing SHORTS...lol).
 In the meantime, let's pour ourselves another cup of whatever we're drinking, and take a gander at what all's been going on.
*** First off the sofa today is an update to information regarding Sunday's shooting death - confirmed as the FORTY THIRD HOMICIDE in County Allen.
Here's the link to WPTA:
 http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Man-Found-Dead-In-Alley-On-Southeast-Side-234017761.html
 Well, I said it would be a homicide, and it was due to unexpected personal "ventilation" aka bullet wounds.
 As can be expected down HERE, the victim was black (wonder if he's another "o-g"?), and his ID is still not being released pending notification of next-of-kin (makes me think either HE was from out of town, or his relatives are).
 It's quite easy (for me anyway) to ascertain if someone winds up as a homicide victim, given the nature of this part of town and it's "inhabitants", who I like to refer to as (with apologies) The Walking Dead. 
You can see it in their eyes...the lack of a "divine spark", as they say.
(( Editor's Update 1200 hrs - The victim has been ID'ed as 31-year old Johnny Wiggins of fort Wayne, formerly from Beloit, Wisconsin. )).
 But wait...there's more...
 *** A stabbing victim was taken to hospital in critical condition early this morning.
Here's the story link:
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Stabbing-Victim-Taken-to-Hospital-in-Critical-Condition-234205711.html
This was up at the Canterbury Green Apartments along the 2700 block of Northgate Blvd (near northeast) and happened around 0430 hrs.
At least it wasn't on the ...(...all together, gang...)...SOUTHEAST side.
Still, it makes you wonder why this kind of drama takes place at such an UNGODLY hour... Must be those UNGODLY PEOPLE...'ya think?
Moving on... 
*** Okay, so when you're driving a DeLorean with a flux-capacitor, it's perfectly fine to reach 88 MPH when you just HAVE to jump forward in time for those elusive lottery numbers, but when is it NOT so good to reach only a mere EIGHTY-TWO MPH?

Answer: 
When you're driving a passenger train around a curve meant to be taken at THIRTY MPH...
That's what happened this weekend just north of NYC.
There were 4 deaths in this derailment...and 3 in a similar derailment in New Mexico over the same weekend...coincidence?
Here's the link to the NYC story:
 http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303670804579231830633455674
Good slideshow, too...excellent photography.
The engineer on the train was a 20-year veteran of the Metro-North line, which has had problems in the past as well. The train nearly would up in the confluance where the Harlem and Hudson rivers meet in the Bronx.
The engineer had stated that the brakes were giving him problems, but data recorders will also provide information about the incident.
What I find incredible, is that most all those types of rail lines tend to be operated automatically...(by computer), so if there IS an issue, the computer can shut the whole damn thing DOWN, but if that wasn't working as designed, then a mechanical problem might be the cause.
*** The UN-Affordable Care Act website STILL isn't up to snuff.
 I find it SO damn laughable that the government "thinks" it can run a private sector venue...and better than the private sector.
What a bunch of idiots!
I swear you could not FUBAR this up more if you tried!
(and many have already with predictable results...lol)
Cripes, how MUCH has been spent (read wasted) thus far on this debacle that I am calling the mother of all clusterf$cks?
And how much BETTER could all that money have been spent elsewhere?
How about JUST the money that could have been used to insure ONLY those 20-30 million Americans?
Here's a peek at the REAL numbers...so far:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/11/obamacare_by_the_numbers.html
A BILLION bucks JUST to create the damn website???
Are you sh*tting me?
Amazon, Facebook AND Twitter COMBINED cost LESS...and the last time I checked, THEY still ALL work just fine.
 So, what's the problem, D.C.?
Too much red tape in your red tape?
The GOOD news is that all the LIES they've told us are SO damn easy to spot.
 THIS is what liberal socialist progressivism looks like, people...get to know it, and to expose it.
 *** Lastly today, 'Tis the season, as they say...but tis the season for WHAT, exactly?
How about the season for anti-christian rhetoric and anti-Christmas sentiments by a few of the loons who are attempting to dictate to the MASSES what the "season" is REALLY all about? Fortunately, there are places to go that will DEFEND your RIGHT to celebrate and embrace your CHRISTIAN beliefs.
 The best one I've found so far can be found here:
http://www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/about
The Alliance Defending Freedom is a "by the numbers" kind of organization that defends the rights of those seeking religious freedom for people of faith.
They've defended many for free, and that's not bad for a group founded in 1994.
It really takes much of the meaning out of this time of year whenever we hear about some school BANNING a prayer group, disallowing Christian meetings, and doing away with Christmas songs referring to the birth of Jesus.
Sorry, to burst this lunatic anti Judeo-Christian bubble, but to uphold such a day (and season) is basically THE LAW...established under (then) President U.S. Grant back in 1870.
So the atheists, for example, have NO ground to stand upon, while we stand on solid soil. And yet, too many people (of faith) back down whenever some moron decries the celebration of the birth of Christ, and that should never happen.
All of us need to remain steadfast, not only in our faith and beliefs, but in adherence to the law, as it was laid down.
If anything, those who would subvert and dismiss the REAL reason to celebrate this (federally set down) HOLIDAY are the ones breaking the law.
Christians really never bother with atheists anyway...they LET them do as they want (might try to bring God into their lives), and that's about it...BUT, flip the coin over, and the atheists are always seemingly "at odds" with Christians...and this has only been a big deal for the last 20 or so years...
Why IS that, do you suppose?
Perhaps it's the powers of darkness allowing them to become emboldened, or the rise of secular humanism...or both...who can say?
What I WILL say is that for me and my house...well.you believers know the rest.
And who knows...if we manage to get back to the real reasoning behind this season, those tidings might turn out to be a whole lot "gladder".
I think we deserve no less than to try.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.